The Fear of the Lord

Judaism

Proverbs 9:1-18

The dual invitations of Wisdom and Folly in Proverbs 9 form a perfect chiasm, with the pivotal declaration 'the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom' at the center.

AWisdom has built her house; she calls from the heights of the cityA'

BCome, eat my bread; leave the simple and live; walk in the way of understandingB'

XTHE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM

B'Folly calls from the heights: stolen water is sweet; come insideB

A'But her guests are in the depths of SheolA